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Vitamin D Plus Curcumin for Alzheimer's

New research suggests that vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) plus curcumin may help prevent the buildup of amyloid beta protein in the brain that is associated with Alzheimer's disease.
The body makes vitamin D3 when the skin is exposed to ultraviolet-B (UVB) rays from sunlight. Some foods may also be fortified with vitamin D3.

The study, published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, included nine patients with Alzheimer's disease, one patient with mild cognitive impairment and three healthy control subjects.

At the beginning of the study, the researchers analyzed the patients' blood samples for white blood cells called monocyte cells, which transform into macrophages and help remove waste products, including amyloid beta, from the body. The researchers then incubated the macrophages with amyloid beta, vitamin D3 and natural or man-made curcumin.

The authors found that the natural curcumin was not readily absorbed, making it less effective than the man-made curcuminoids. The man-made curcuminoids enhanced the surface binding of amyloid beta to macrophages, and vitamin D strongly stimulated the uptake and absorption of amyloid beta in macrophages in most of the patients.

Previous research by the team suggests that the immune genes MGAT III and TLR-3 may be associated with the immune system's ability to better ingest amyloid beta. In this earlier work, it was suggested that there may be two types of Alzheimer's patients: Type 1 patients, who respond positively to curcuminoids, and Type II patients, who do not.

However, additional research is needed to fully understand how vitamin D3 and curcumin may affect Alzheimer's disease risk.

For more information about Alzheimer's disease please visit Natural Standard's Medical Conditions database.

References

Massoumi A, Goldenson B, Ghirmai S, et al. 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 Interacts with Curcuminoids to Stimulate Amyloid-β Clearance by Macrophages of Alzheimer's Disease Patients. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. 2009. 17(3):703-717.
Natural Standard: The Authority on Integrative Medicine. www.naturalstandard.com. Copyright © 2009.

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